Religious Freedom Petition
from Barnabas Fund:
Religious freedoms in the UK have taken centuries to build, but intolerance, complacency and uniformity are slowly eroding them away.
It’s easy to sit back and ignore the damage because, like erosion, it’s not always immediately visible on the surface. But look a little closer and you can begin to see the cracks.
When nurses are being sacked for wearing crosses or praying, and students are being kicked off their course for their beliefs, you have to ask yourself how safe these freedoms are. At what point do you act?
We are not looking for a quick fix. Erosion needs prevention and that prevention is a new law: a new law, once and for all, to safeguard, all aspects of freedom of religion or belief before we lose them, along with freedom of speech.
who WILL THE LAW HELP?
The law will help everyone, of any religion or belief or none. Our religious freedom came about as a result of brave people in the past standing up to authority. It is time to enshrine those hard-won rights in law, for followers of all religions and none.
What will the law do?
Very simply, it will protect people. It is important that we, as a society, recognise that all people can hold their worldview and beliefs without discrimination or persecution.
We want a law that establishes permanent freedom of thought, religion and expression in line with international agreements and covenants of human rights.
It must positively affirm the freedoms TO practise, share and change one’s beliefs without government interference or societal persecution.
It must also affirm the freedom FROM being required to support a particular worldview or set of beliefs in order to hold a public sector job (except where this is a genuine occupational requirement such as chaplaincy posts); stand for election; work in teaching, healthcare and law; study at university; or give parental care to a child.
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